Myles Turner Is Slumping, and It Couldn’t Come at a Worse Time
The Indiana Pacers second-year standout is struggling to produce as of late, and he needs to figure it out with the playoffs approaching.
Over the last 3 games, Myles Turner is putting up averages of 5.6 PPG, and 5.6 RPG across 29 minutes. These numbers are far below his season averages of 15.1 PPG and 7.1 RPG, and the timing of this slump is extremely inconvenient.
The playoff race is heating up in the Eastern Conference, and several teams are nipping at the Pacers heels. The Pacers are 33-31 and find themselves in 6th place. But, the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Miami Heat, and Milwaukee Bucks are all within 2.5 games or less from the Pacers.
If Indiana aims to lock up the 6th seed,= or overtake Atlanta’s 5th seed that they are 2 games back from, they have to be the best version of themselves. However, the Pacers simply cannot be that best version without Myles Turner.
Myles Turner’s Future and the Present
It’s no secret that Turner is the future of the Indiana Pacers, but he is also the present.
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This season, the Texas graduate and 11th pick in the 2015 draft has a +/- of 73. Furthermore, his defensive presence is second to none. He is blocking 2.1 shots per game, which has not wavered over his recent slide. He also leads the team in rebounding. Offensively, he is now able to step out and shoot the three, his mid-range is impeccable, and he is a strong finisher. This goes without saying, but Indiana is a far superior team with Turner on the court, and they need him to perform ASAP.
Turner’s had a breakout season, but it’s apparent the dreaded sophomore slump has made its way into his game. That doesn’t mean it has to stay. Indiana simply cannot afford it given the opponents waiting in the wings.
Next up on the schedule is the Bucks, New York Knicks, Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and Toronto Raptors. These games are monumental to the Pacers playoff push, and man do they need the best Myles Turner to show up. Four of those five teams are in playoff contention or have a seed locked down. So, winning can put Indy in the driver’s seat and set up a likely match-up with the Wizards, Celtics or Raptors.
Next: Al Jefferson is a Good Piece in the Wrong Puzzle
Nobody saw Myles Turner becoming the player he is today, let alone being the future of the Indiana Pacers. Breaking out of this slump will not be the toughest of obstacles that Myles has faced. He is undoubtedly a special player, and special players don’t let these type of things get to them.